Kevin Spacey 2017 Tony Awards Host- Page 4

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 7:29pm

kdogg36 said: 
Well, for the most part we know the sexuality of straight celebrities by default, because they associate romantically with the opposite sex and have no need to hide it. Something similar should be the case with non-straight celebrities, too. The fact that there's an asymmetry here is primarily the fault of homophobia in our society, but people who could safely come out and choose not to are also a part of the problem."

Do you understand that everyone in the entire world has a complex list of reasons in their consciousness that causes them to make the decisions that they do?  Do you understand that people make decisions based on things that you could never understand because you will never be privy to the information?  Or do you see things with the same type of black and white mentality that caused the LGBTQ community to be so hated by those who did not understand them for so long?  This way of thinking is no less damaging than what the religious right does.  The world is not black and white, you don't get to make other people's decisions for them based on YOUR LIFE. 

Updated On: 4/18/17 at 07:29 PM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 7:33pm

Sondheimite said: "How f*cking nuts that a nobody on a message board feels like they have the authority to say that someone's choice in the way they publicly present their sexuality to millions of people "isn't working"?"

Well, I was specifically responding to the idea, brought up by Valentina, that his strategy was intended to avoid celebrity gossip. If that's the goal, then, no, I don't think it's working.

Anyhow, I'll bow out now, since I've contributed enough to derailing the thread, and I apologize for that. (Though I did refrain from becoming hostile to others who disagreed with me.)

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 7:34pm

Damn. And all we wanted was to know our host :'

[Valentina3]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 8:26pm

Yeah I didn't mean to get into this fight myself, tried to be respectful of people but some of you feel far too strongly about Kevin Spacey's sexual preferences. Sorry you got dragged into something while addressing me, kdogg36. We cool?

[kdogg36]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 8:40pm

Of course! Have a great evening!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 8:55pm

At first I was like, really? But then I realized he'll be great as a host. He's always memorable on award shows as a presenter, he's hosted SNL, and he'll bring some charm to the show without being unctuous. Theatre people love him, Netflix people like him, movie people like him. Plus kids I guess, if you count whoever watched that Nine Lives movie.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 10:23pm

Valentina3 said: "Orangeskittles, have you considered the possibility that he could be bisexual? And American Beauty was 1998. Surely you don't begrudge a Hollywood actor staying in closet in 1998?

He has publicly stated that he does not want his private life to ever be a matter of celebrity gossip and he refuses to engage in that conversation.

Not to change the subject but American Beauty was released in September of 1999.

"

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 11:22pm

Sondheimite said: "Do you understand that everyone in the entire world has a complex list of reasons in their consciousness that causes them to make the decisions that they do?  Do you understand that people make decisions based on things that you could never understand because you will never be privy to the information?  Or do you see things with the same type of black and white mentality that caused the LGBTQ community to be so hated by those who did not understand them for so long?  This way of thinking is no less damaging than what the religious right does.  The world is not black and white, you don't get to make other people's decisions for them based on YOUR LIFE. 

 

"

(Emphasis added.)

I understand that human beings are complicated. Nonetheless, we have responsibilities, political and otherwise.

If you think we LGBTQ people have been hated because of our strong political opinions, you are a moron. Try reading a history book: it was only when a group gays and drag queens expressed their opinions by throwing beer bottles that public attitudes began to change. It was those who raised their voices and, yes, threw condoms at St. Patrick's Cathedral who finally got government action on an epidemic that was killing us.

If you think political queers do as much damage as the religious right, then you are even more clueless than you seemed in your previous sentence.

[Q3]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 5:01am

He would be great in My Fair Lady. But I was thinking Geoffrey Rush would be good also.

[elephantseye]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 5:02am

I feel that a discussion of Kevin Spacey's sexuality has no place on this board; absolutely no one is entitled to know anything about a celebrity.

A conversation about the accusations that he is predatory, manipulative, and abuses his power, however, are more than justified. Most of the rumors about Spacey's sexuality revolve around him sleeping with much, much younger men, while he was in a position of authority/power over them. While these stories are, admittedly, unverified, there's a lot of them. Like, a ton. And that's what's concerning about Spacey hosting, for me-- when are we going to stop sweeping under the rug accusations like this?

[Chefcorvette]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 7:05am

He started as a stand up comic. Also, he can sing a bit

[South Florida]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 7:39am

Great pick.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 7:45am

So many of you have your heteronormative heads deep up your homophobic asses.

Saying, "no one has a right to know about a celebrity's sexual orientation" is moronic because - how many straight celebrities keep their heterosexuality a secret? How many go to events with a beard of the same sex  in order to hide their shameful straightness?

Hetero is still the norm; and when you say that a person is "entitled" to keep their homosexuality a secret, you're really saying that it's perfectly all right to consider homosexuality a shameful thing that's OK to hide. Is that really the statement you want to make, consciously or not, to your gay and lesbian children or friends?

I would say that I'm surprised at the vast lack of awareness and intelligence in this thread, but after the last election, stupidity seems to be the norm in America.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 8:16am

I just think it is ironic that a group of people (making assumptions here) who have always said it is no one's business who they sleep with think it is OK for THEM to question other people's sexual preferences or try to 'out' them.

 

Anyone doing that is a hypocrite, IMHO>

 

 

Spacey as host (that WAS the topic, right?)  Meh..

 

 

 

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 8:43am

Hold the phone. Who’s “demanding” or saying they have a “right” to know anyone’s sexual orientation? People are expressing their opinions about the decision to remain closeted. Let’s not draw false equivalencies.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 9:55am

Let's talk about that very 'undetectable Sirs' atop his head instead.

That's what one says[of a certain era] in Aussie when one approaches one on the street.

'That's a very undetectable Sirs'...then lots of giggles.

 

[elephantseye]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 9:58am

Claiming that closeted gay men have a duty to reveal their sexuality for the greater good of society means that you think you have a right to that information.

And, newintown, I agree with you that straight celebrities do not have to keep their sexualities hidden. No one asks straight people to keep quiet about who they are. But you're implying that queer people stay in the closet because they are ashamed of their sexuality. While that is certainly the case for some people, who have been conditioned so deeply by society to hate who they are so that they cannot live their true lives, for the most part queer people remain in the closet because, as it stands right now, it is not safe to be queer in America. Marriage equality did not suddenly fix the rampant homophobia woven into American society. Still, every single day, queer people are harassed, abused, and murdered because of their sexuality. And while it is unlikely that Kevin Spacey, assuming he is queer in some way, would face this level of antagonism as a celebrity of his stature, his career most certainly could be affected. I also wouldn't blame him for simply wanting to avoid the vitriolic hate that would surely come his way by the thousands.

The responsibility is on the general public, especially straight people, to dismantle heteronormativity, until we stop considering that straight is the standard and everyone else is deviating from the norm. If he is queer, it is certainly not on Kevin Spacey's shoulders. I applaud any celebrity who comes out for their bravery in the face of the focused homophobic attacks they are sure to receive, and for helping the fight to de-stigmatize queer people's existence, but I do not feel that anyone in the closet has a duty to do so. And, closeted actors coming out is not the only way to generate queer visibility in the public eye; supporting out and proud performers so that they become celebrities works, too. Supporting queer directors and screenwriters so that they can tell their stories, or are more open to hiring queer actors, does as well.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:03am

That's textbook relativism, elephant, and personally, I find it repellent.

[elephantseye]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:14am

newintown said: "That's textbook relativism, elephant, and personally, I find it repellent."

I cannot identify a single thing I've said as relativism.

What, exactly, do you disagree with me about? That homophobic/transphobic violence happens every day? That, for many Americans, it is not safe to come out? That coming out of the closet is not the only way to increase queer visibility in the media? You're really good at dismissing me without actually engaging with any of my actual points.

Also, I'd like to reiterate, that I think the more important conversation here is not whether or not Kevin Spacey is queer, but whether or not it is acceptable to allow a known(ish) sexual predator to host an awards show of this caliber.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:19am

 

Literally no one in this thread used the word “duty.” I don’t even know what that kind of imperative would imply in this context. Man. Some of y’all need a rhetoric class.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:21am

It's relativism to say that living in hiding, showing young people like yourself that hiding who you are is perfectly acceptable, is "right" if you feel that you'll profit best by it, that your career will be better for it.

Of course we live in an age of relativism, where "right" is defined by many people as "whatever will profit me best."

Updated On: 4/19/17 at 10:21 AM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:30am

Coming out of the closest is the only way to increase queer visibility...in the media and elsewhere.  I cannot believe that we are still having this conversation on this board.  I go back to the olden days of BWW and we seem to not be able to get off this carousel ride.  Yes...Spacey and every other gay celebrity can absolutely stay in their glass closets.  And I can have a very strong opinion about that.  Namely, I think it's repugnant.  A bunch of us on this board grew up at a time when there were very few out celebrities.  And we also grew up at a time when the generation ahead of us was dying.  Some of us are a part of that generation that died.  We know how literal 'Silence = Death' is.  If you don't understand this, then either you've forgotten, or you were lucky enough to not live through it.  

Spacey can do as he pleases...he always has and he always will.  It doesn't change the fact that I think he's a fantastic actor.  But it does make me think less of him as a person.  He'll be fine.  I'll be fine.  It's just a shame that he continues to reinforce the power of the closet.  

Updated On: 4/19/17 at 10:30 AM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:43am

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:47am

My out-for-25-years gay ass says, 'J'adore, Dior' to you, growl!  

(ETA: Holy f*ck, I just realized this is my 25th anniversary out of the closet.  My gayness can now rent a car!!)

Updated On: 4/19/17 at 10:47 AM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 10:53am

 

You are amazing, my darling. There's just no other word.